The Burning Girl

Chapter 19 - A N N A

The day has finally come that we receive tattoos.

Joy.

We have to get the circle tattoo on the inside of our writing hand. One small black circle inside a small circle. Talk about symbolism, whoever runs this joint must really love his drama.

Cass leads us to a small room beyond our sleeping quarters, in the dark corners of the base.

It just gets better.

Before I start imagining some dark room, full of spider webs with the buzzing sound of the needles filling the air, we are unceremoniously shoved into a room and greeted to the smiling face of a boy in his late teens.

"So you are the unlucky recruits?" He asks wiggling his eyebrows. Cass shoots him an annoyed look. "Kidding, promise." He says, flashing a bright smile towards us. He extends a hand "Julian," He says "But you, sugar, can call me Jules." He says winking at me. My tummy does a weird thing, it flips over and starts feeling as if there are fireworks going off. I don't know whether to take this as a good sign or bad, but I trust my instincts. I think I'll like this boy.

I grin at him and shake his hand vigorously. "Hello Jules, I'm Anna." I elbow Arran in the ribs.

"Hello Julian," he says awkwardly waving. "Names Arran."

"Sup bro. Well introductions over. Let's get to the buzzing." He grins wickedly. He puts a pair of latex gloves on and snaps them to his wrist.

"Who's first?"

----

I lost our game of rock, paper, scissors (naturally) so I am the unlucky soul who has to face the music first. Literally.

"I know I can treat you better, better than he can!" Jules sings, glancing between Arran and I.

Subtle much?

I'm sat in front of him waiting for him to finish prepping my wrist and his equipment. The small radio in the corner is blaring out some pop song, acting as a distraction to the tense atmosphere in the room.

"You ready Anna?" Jules asks me.

"I was born ready babe." I wink at him. This will be fun.

"You can back out if you want, I'm not pressuring you into doing anything." He smirks at me. "And don't worry I know all about no meaning no."

I laugh "I'm perfectly capable at making my own decisions. Plus Cass isn't giving me a choice." I grin sheepishly.

He laughs. "You do know they teach you not to give into peer pressure right? You don't need to--" Cass cuts in.

"Just bloody get on with it Jules, there's no point dragging it out any longer."

"Fine," he grumbles. He switches the machine on and slowly brings it the my wrist. The stencil is already placed there, my wrist disinfected and his hand is drawing closer.

"WAIT!" I yell. Everyone's head snap towards me.

"What's wrong?" Arran is suddenly by my side, a look of concern in his face.

"Needles," I mumble. His eyes flash with something I can't read. He holds out his hand and I take it, squeezing hard. "Just close your eyes, I'm here." He whispers. I let out a slow breath, and squeeze my eyes shut. Arran sits down next to me and I nod to Jules to carry on. It doesn't sting too badly, and thankfully doesn't bring back any traumatic memories. When he's done I look done at the two circles in perfect balance.

"Seeing as you're here, do you want anything else?" He asks me. I cock my head to the side, looking at him. He takes my sudden scrutiny awkwardly, his face flushing slightly pink. He's good looking, messy brown shoulder length hair, dark grey eyes, toned muscles showing through his black wife beater vest. He looked young, about our age, but his body showed more than his 18 years. His body is laced with multiple tattoos, all intricate in their own beautiful way. I stood up and walked over to him. He looked slightly Asian, I guessed he might be half Thai. His eyes had a beautiful gleam to them as I leaned in to his face. His cheeks flushed darker and his eyes grew darker. I inspected the tattoos on his neck and his arms, looking for something that I could choose.